This week on the podcast we're taking a look at Microsoft Surface and the new features in Windows Phone 8, plus an surprising technology from Ford. We're also answering questions about getting started with web design and making your older television set work with devices it doesn't support.

How to Watch or Listen to This Week's Episode

You can watch the episode by clicking the play button above, but there are plenty of other ways to get it:

00:45 News and Discussion

01:05 Windows Phone 8Microsoft announced the new features coming in Windows Phone 8. The new platform coming in the fall will support a bunch of hardware upgrades including dual-core and quad-core CPUs, three screen resolutions, removable microSD storage, and more. It will also bring near-field communication support, encryption, and Internet Explorer 10. The downside is that even the newest Windows Phone 7 hardware won't be able to run version 8.

Microsoft revealed today the next version of its mobile phone operating system, Windows Phone 8.…
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01:05 Microsoft Surface Microsoft once released a giant multitouch table they called Surface, but Surface is now the name of Microsoft's foray into the tablet space. The device has a few options, as you can get a low-powered version with an ARM processor or a higher-powered version with an Intel processor. The reason for the choice is because Microsoft's tablets run Windows 8 and they can actually be used as a full computer or a more focused tablet—depending on your needs. What might have been the best feature is Microsoft's take on the tablet smart cover. Instead of simply protecting the screen, Microsoft's magnetically-attached cover also includes a touch keyboard. How well that keyboard works remains to be seen, but it's certainly a cool idea.

Chrome: Ford KeyFree is a Chrome extension that automatically logs into your Google, Facebook, and…
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18:00 Determining Whether or Not a Controversial Statement Is Scientifically True Alan joined us to talk about his post from last week that discussed how to determine if a controversial statement is scientifically true. We run into a lot of claims every day, and many of them just feed our confirmation bias rather than bother to be accurate. If you want to avoid being duped by false information that you believe mainly because you want to, Alan's post is a must-read.

Every day, we're confronted with claims that others present as fact. Some are easily debunked, …
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20:45 Questions and Answers

Each week we answer five questions from readers and listeners. Here's what we tackled this week.

20:55 Should I get a Microsoft Surface, Asus Transformer Prime, or a laptop as a primary computer? Microsoft Surface isn't the first device to try and bridge the gap between tablet and laptop. The Asus Transformer attempted to do that with Android first, and it did a pretty good job. Using Android as your primary machine, however, is a little risky if you need to work with Microsoft Office or any other specific software. The Microsoft Surface tablet should change that problem, as it's more versatile. Of course, it isn't available yet. Then you have your standard laptop, which is a bit more costly, complex, and power-hungry. In the end, the right choice is going to depend on your needs. The listener who asked this question sounds like he wants to get a computer for a family member who doesn't really need to do a whole lot. A tablet is definitely sufficient for people who just need to send email, browse the web, share photos, and handle other basic tasks. In fact, the Asus Transformer can handle all of those things very well. Surface might do an even better job, although we don't know yet. It really depends on the exact needs of the person using it. Our recommendation is to buy from a store with a good return policy, try it out, and see how it goes. If you don't like what you buy, take it back and get something else. Real-world experience is always the best way to answer the question of what you should buy.

Last weekend we looked at resources to teach you how to code, but writing your app is only half the …
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27:20 Can I connect an HDMI device to an old HD TV that doesn't support HDMI? Find an adapter on Monoprice. Whenever we can't connect device to another, that's where we look for adapters. In the case of the HDMI device that needs to connect to an older HD TV, this HDMI to component converter will do the job for about $30.

I was three years younger when I first reviewed the Gunnar Optiks eye strain-reducing glasses,…
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Gunnar's website claims they protect your vision by filtering out "artificial" light, and relaxes your eyes, so you get tired slower. They also claim that it prevents dryness, but I'm not quite sure how it would go about doing that, since the glasses aren't like those James Worthy or Horace Grant goggles that encase your eyes-they're just normal glasses.

We were skeptical about the eye moistness claim as well, but here's what Gunnar has to say on the matter:

As for the dryness - they have a curved frame and lens shape for a design that sits closer to your face, keeping the inside climate more moist for your eyes - not so with typical flat lenses/eyewear frames where there's more air circulation.

Whitson purchased a pair that make him look like a 90s snowboarder, but for a practical reason. The glasses designed for gamers have a very slim band that rests on the ears, allowing you to wear them comfortably with a headset or pair of headphones. Gunnar makes several varieties of their glasses, too, so you can choose from a few different styles if the gamer-type doesn't suit you.

32:15 Downloads of the Week

Each week we talk about our favorite downloads. Here are our picks for this week.

32:25 Windows/OS X: Doo Doo is an automatic document organizer that finds files on your hard drive, in Dropbox, and even in your email. On top of that, it'll take all your documents and sync them to the cloud and across multiple computers.

33:00 OS X/Windows: TorChat TorChat is an instant messenger client that makes encrypted, anonymous chat and file sharing with your friends incredibly easy. Built on Tor's location hiding services nobody will be able to see what you're doing or who you're contacting.

33:20 Android/iOS: Waze Waze, our favorite turn-by-turn navigation app for Android and iPhone, received a major update. In addition to the socially-enhanced turn-by-turn navigation the app already provides, it will now help you find the cheapest, closest gas station to your current location. On top of that, Waze will also notify you of any gas coupons if they're available so you can save more money at the pump.

34:00 iOS/Android: Stitcher If you're a podcast junkie, you're probably always on the hunt for new shows, not to mention tuning into your favorites all day long. Stitcher Radio takes a new approach to podcasts, creating Pandora-like stations and playlists with your favorite shows, so you always have something to listen to.

Please keep your questions as brief as possible. This means about 3-5 sentences for emails and 30-60 seconds for calls and videos. Your questions can be specific, but broader questions are generally better because they'll apply to more people. For example, "how can I breathe new life into my old PDA?" is much better than "what can I do with an old HP iPAQ 210?" Either way, we look forward to hearing from you!